Ruler



(No Model.)

P. W. LEAVITT.

RULER.

No. 566,195. Patented Aug. 18, 1896.

6 7r i 1 M j I I eAflorgy UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

PERCY W. LEAVITT, OF AKRON, OHIO.

RU LER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 566,195, dated August 18, 1896. Application filed May 5, 1896. Serial No. 590,298. (No model.)

.To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, PERCY W. LEAVITT, of Akron, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rulers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it ap pertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in rulers, the object being to provide a simple, durable, and inexpensive ruler adapted to be grasped and held against accidental movement and in such a manner that contact of the hands during the operation of ruling is absolutely avoided, thus insuring perfectly straight lines without soiling the fingers or work being ruled.

WVith this end in view my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a view of my improvement. Fig. 2 is a view in section of the same, and Fig. 3 is a view of the bottom faceof the ruler.

A represents a ruler constructed of gutta percha or of any other material of which it is customary to make rulers. Both edges 1 and 2 are sharpened and the latter is preferably beveled on both sides or V-shaped in crosssection, as shown in Fig. 2. The bottom surface is provided with a semicircular groove 3, extending throughout the entire length of the ruler, and its location is adjacent to the beveled or V-shaped edge 2, or about midway between this edge and the longitudinal center of the ruler. Within this groove is secured a circular elastic string or cord 4, a portion of which projects beyond the flat lower surface of the ruler and is adapted to rest firmly on the work to be operated upon and prevent the ruler from slipping in any direction, thus insuring perfectly straight and unbroken lines. This elastic string or cord also maintains the beveled or V-shaped edge 2 in an elevated position, whereby danger of the ink which may collect on this edge touching the paper is avoided.

B is the handle, the inner edge of which has the lateral sides or shoulders 6 6 and a central connecting portion '7, which latter is preferably in the arc of a circle. This handle is provided with concaved sides 8 8, so as to afford a firm gripping-surface for the fingers, and is movably supported on ruler A by means of the posts 9 9, which latter are rigidly secured to said ruler.

From the foregoing it will be seen that handle B is adapted to be moved back and forth to a predetermined position, said position being governed by the lateral sides or shoulders 6 6, which latter when the handle is moved in either a forward or backward direction are adapted to abut solidly against the top flat surface of the ruler, thereby constituting a stop against further swinging movement of said handle.

In conclusion it may be added that although flat rubber strips have been placed on the bottom surfaces of rulers hitherto, nevertheless a round rubber cord has never been used, and this has been found to be much superior to a flat strip in that it acts quicker and more readily than a flat strip. Not only this, but owing to its thickness and pliability, as well as its curved surface, a slight pressure upon it makes it cleave securely to the surface upon which it rests, so that slipping is absolutely prevented. In operation, therefore, but little pressure is necessary to prevent the ruler from slipping. In fact the weight of the hand on the handle is substantially sufficient to cause the elastic string or cord to firmly and quickly adhere or act upon the surface to be ruled, whereby the ruler is prevented from movement in any direction. It is also apparent that the handle is adjustable to afford a good grasp, as well as to keep the fingers out of the reach of the hand while doing the ruling, thus preventing the fingers from being inked and insuring perfect lines.

The ruler and handle is preferably made of hard rubber or gutta-percha, but other suitable material may be used with good results.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. As a new article of manufacture, a ruler provided on its bottom face with a cylindrical elastic cord or string partly embedded therein and extending longitudinally of the ruler, substantially as set forth.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a ruler having its edges sharpened, one being beveled on both sides or V-shaped in cross-section, and a yielding cylindrical string or cord partially embedded in the bottom face of said ruler adjacent to the V-shaped ruling edge,

10 substantially as set forth.

Witnesses:

N. J. ONEIL, W. A. FOLGER. 

